Orientation FAQs
January Orientation
Students who have paid their enrollment deposit can log into their myTCU portal to find the link for registration. Orientation registration remains open until the week of.
Incoming students should select the “Admission Status & Checklist” tile in their myTCU portal, complete all steps of the reservation process, and ensure they receive a confirmation.
You must pay your non-refundable tuition deposit before you can register for Orientation. It can take a few hours for this deposit to process.
Summer Orientation
Starting end of March 2024, students that have paid their enrollment deposit can log into their myTCU portal to find the link for registration. Orientation registration remains open until sessions fill, however you must pay your enrollment deposit no later than 11:59pm CT on May 1st to register for orientation.
Incoming students should select the “Admission Status & Checklist” tile in their myTCU portal, complete all steps of the reservation process and ensure you receive a confirmation.
You must pay your non-refundable tuition deposit before you can register for Orientation. It can take a few hours for this deposit to process.
If the Orientation you wish to register for is full, you have the option of being placed on a waitlist on the registration page. Each first-year summer Orientation session can accommodate up to 235 students. Reservations for these sessions open late March and registration takes place on a first-come, first-served basis.
Because of the nature of the waitlist we cannot notify students when or if there will be an open space in that session. If you need to schedule travel arrangements in advance, please do so based on the session you are currently enrolled in.
If you are experiencing difficulty registering, please call the Office of New Student & Family Programs at 817-257-7855 and we can walk you through the process. We will not register you for Orientation, but can help troubleshoot the process.
Students must register for an orientation session. If you desire to change your orientation date, you can log in to your Admissions Portal through MyTCU and select an available date. If a date is full, you will not be able to select it. Students can change their dates up to 7 days prior to an orientation session.
The most accurate date availability is by logging into the system. While you’re welcome to call our office, you’ll be better served logging in to your portal and checking real-time availability.
Yes, all incoming first-year AND transfer students admitted to TCU for the fall semester and spring semester are required to attend Orientation. Please note that students may not be able to register for classes until they complete the Pre-Orientation Modules, and attend all events during Orientation.
Space is limited in each Orientation, so reserve your space early as sessions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
January Orientation
Transfer students will attend the January orientation.
Summer Orientation
Transfer students starting in summer or fall 2024 are must attend one of the summer orientations on Wednesday, May 22 or Friday, June 21. Any students admitted/deposited past June should plan to attend August 13.
Parents and Families will be able to learn more about the TCU campus and resources at Orientation. Sessions are catered towards information you need to support your student during their time at TCU. This includes safety, wellbeing, housing, meal plans, financial aid, billing, academic support and more!
Example Schedules:
We apologize for the inconvenience, but have limited capacity in all our sessions. If you have an extenuating circumstance, please email orientation@tcu.edu.
Payments are not due during Orientation.
Students that register for classes at Orientation in May, June, and July will receive their first tuition bill to their TCU email in July. The first payment for fall will be due the beginning of August (exact date will be posted once known)/
Students that register for classes in August will receive their first tuition bill to their TCU email 1-2 days later, their first payment will be due late August.
Changing Your Major (please note exceptions below)
Students who wish to change their major must complete this form at least 7 days prior to their Orientation, in order to be advised in new major during Orientation.
Pre-Business & Nursing: Students will not be able to change their majors to pre-business or nursing..
Strategic Communication: The firm deadline for change of major to Strategic Communications is TBD. Students will not be able to change their major in this area for the Fall semester after this date.
Fine Arts: Students are not permitted to change majors to most College of Fine Arts programs during the summer Orientation process. Any incoming students interested in majors housed in the College of Fine Arts are invited to contact Tyra Musoma directly (T.musoma@tcu.edu) for more information.
Students can log into the platform through their myTCU portal, select Admitted Student Task tile, and select Pre-Orientation Module starting late April (exact date TBD). Students will be emailed once modules are available.
If students experience any technical difficulties during their pre-advising modules, you may contact New Student & Family Programs at 817-257-7855 or orientation@tcu.edu.
If students have trouble logging into myTCU, please contact the TCU HelpDesk at 817-257-HELP (4357).
TCU does not provide transportation to/from local airports. Families should make travel arrangements with plenty of time to arrive on campus for Orientation Check-In.
Additionally, if students are flying, they should plan their departure after 7pm on Day 2 for first-year students. Enrollment windows are assigned randomly and some appointments may last as long as 5pm.
Unfortunately, TCU cannot provide additional housing accommodations outside of Orientation. If you are arriving early or staying late, please make your own accommodation reservations off campus at a local hotel.
Exceptions are only when you are attending a Frog Camp that aligns the day immediately before or after your Orientation Date. These students will receive separate communication regarding additional overnight accommodations.
Yes, during summer Orientations TCU can provide overnight guest accommodations. To request this accommodation, please select housing for the guest during the Orientation registration process at my.TCU.edu. We will provide housing during the orientation program but are unable to house guests for overnight stays before or after check-in to your registered Orientation. Linens are included.
Housing accommodations for guests will be in a suite-style residence hall on TCU’s campus. There is no fee for guest housing.
We will provide additional overnight accommodations for students for the following camps and sessions if your student is registered for:
- Exact dates to be posted late March.
- Here’s a comprehensive calendar of Orientation & Frog Camp Dates.
There will be some activities and meals planned during their extended stay on campus with us. Students who are registered for the Orientation sessions and Frog Camps listed above, will be automatically registered for additional overnight accommodations. Students may choose to opt out of the additional accommodations by emailing orientation@tcu.edu.